Oligofructose-enriched inulin and gut bacteria in celiac children
What it found
In children with celiac disease on a gluten-free diet, a 3-month supplement of oligofructose-enriched inulin increased Bifidobacterium counts and raised faecal short-chain fatty acids, especially acetate and butyrate.
The authors say it had a moderate effect on gut bacteria but stimulated bacterial metabolite production.
What they found
Studies in people
Bifidobacterium increase
After 3 months, the count of Bifidobacterium increased significantly in the group taking oligofructose-enriched inulin. The authors say this may help counter the lower Bifidobacterium counts often seen in celiac disease.
Short-chain fatty acids
Faecal acetate and butyrate levels rose significantly in the prebiotic group. Total short-chain fatty acids were 31% higher than at the start.
Other bacteria
The Clostridium leptum group stayed stable in the prebiotic group but dropped in the placebo group. Lactobacillus counts fell in both groups, significantly so in the prebiotic group.
Side effects
The supplement was generally well accepted. Mild abdominal pain lasting two days was reported in three children, in both the prebiotic and placebo groups. Stool consistency was described as normal 95% of the time in the prebiotic group versus 69% in the placebo group.
Branched-chain fatty acids
The relative amount of branched-chain fatty acids in total short-chain fatty acids fell by 31% in the prebiotic group but rose by 15% in the placebo group.
What the authors conclude
“In conclusion, the results of this study have demonstrated that the administration of oligofructose-enriched inulin is harmless and modulated the proportion of bacterial species in faecal samples, increasing the counts of BIF in paediatric CD patients adhering to a GFD.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that oligofructose-enriched inulin is harmless and modulated the proportion of bacterial species, increasing Bifidobacterium counts in children with celiac disease on a gluten-free diet.
- They say the main findings were shifts in faecal bacterial metabolites, especially increased acetate.
- They suggest that adding Synergy 1 to a gluten-free diet could be a promising approach for modulating gut bacteria and their activity, and call for further well-powered studies.
How it was done
Celiac disease is linked to changes in gut bacteria, and a gluten-free diet does not fully restore them. The authors wanted to see if a prebiotic could help restore gut balance in children with celiac disease.
Thirty-four children with celiac disease, aged 4 to 18 years and on a gluten-free diet for at least 6 months, were randomly assigned to take either oligofructose-enriched inulin (10 g/day) or a placebo (maltodextrin, 7 g/day) for 3 months. Stool samples were analysed for bacterial counts and short-chain fatty acids, and side effects were recorded.
What it can’t tell you
- The study was small, with 34 children, and included a wide age range, so the results may not apply to all people with celiac disease.
- The intervention lasted only 3 months, so it cannot show what happens over longer periods.
- It cannot show whether these changes in gut bacteria lead to any health benefits.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- The authors declare no conflict of interest.
- Authors work at
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland; University of Warmia & Mazury, Poland
The paper
- Title
- The Effect of Oligofructose-Enriched Inulin on Faecal Bacterial Counts and Microbiota-Associated Characteristics in Celiac Disease Children Following a Gluten-Free Diet: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Drabińska N, Jarocka-Cyrta E, Markiewicz LH, Krupa-Kozak U (2018). The Effect of Oligofructose-Enriched Inulin on Faecal Bacterial Counts and Microbiota-Associated Characteristics in Celiac Disease Children Following a Gluten-Free Diet: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients. doi:10.3390/nu10020201Free full textPubMed 29439526DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error